Reading FC Match Report: 2017/2018 Season - Championship

04 November 2017DERBY 2 READING 4

Post Match Fans' Opinion

NewCorkSeth

We can't have many complaints after that. Last game we added attacking impetus. This game we added clinical finishing.

Tactics again were great because Derby played right into it. We are too dangerous when teams actually try to play against us.

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say if we get the first goal in a match (from now on) were going to win it.

Again we concede a stupid goal. We really struggle to cut out errors (and there were quote a few that went unpunished)

Mannone - 7 - again his best quality is his ability with the ball at his feet. Few good saves. Some great movement.
Gunter - 6 - was an up down performance. Silly yellow.
McShane - 7 - he can pass! Was arguably better than Moore today.
Moore - 7 - why did he stay down for the second goal? First lesson in football. Play the whistle.
Richards - 7 - one mistake in his first game is not bad. Looked tidy and skilful.
Bacuna - 8 - my MOTM. Ran the show relatively quietly. Passing, tackling, anticipation, movement on the ball are all top class.
Edwards - 7 - very good performance. Great niggly little fouls all game went unpunished.
Aluko - 8 - best I've seen of him. Came too deep in first half at times.
Barrow - 7 - looked exhausted. Good goal.
Swift - 7 - was marked out most of the game but his movement allowed so much more to happen around him. Good free kick for once.
Beerens - 6 - not much done by the tap in. Was much better when shifted to the right.

Kermorgant - 6 - good hold up play. Won a few headers. He will cause so much trouble when fully fit.
Blackett - 5 - Not bad. Not great. Not much time to judge him on
Clement - N/A

Derbys RB was great. Who was he I couldn't see the shirt name?

Royals and Racers

» 04 Nov 2017 17:37

14 Wisdom

Lower West

» 04 Nov 2017 19:52

Omar Richards MOM

Bacuna outstanding. Edawrds tireless.

All round good performance. Ok they were lapses. Foundations of a great team though.

Crowbar6753

» 04 Nov 2017 20:48

What a difference when we play the passing game at pace, its weird how its finally happened and clicked into place. The movement, passing and hustling the opposition has been top notch the last few games.
I honestly believe we will give someone a real hiding sooner or later, you can see the confidence creeping back and with our first choice team out we will be class.
Hats off to Omar Richards, he had a great game today....will give Obita a run for his money when he's back.

Crowbar6753

» 04 Nov 2017 20:52

Its interesting to see how Sam Smith and Omar Richards have adapted to first team football and have not looked out of place. I know its early doors but they really look like they belong here.
I would like to see Barrett, Watson and Andreasson given a chance at some stage and i also think Novakovich should be given a chance next season. The future does look bright i guess.

NewCorkSeth

» 04 Nov 2017 21:25

But is the future orange?

Crowbar6753

» 04 Nov 2017 21:35

But is the future orange?

It is for now lol....

Lower West

» 04 Nov 2017 22:21

Seems as if Stam & Co are good judges of potential. The summer clear out appeared excessive not so long ago. Now it appears that the real talent has been given an opportunity to blossom.

alfie9

» 04 Nov 2017 23:55

Definitely want to see more of Omar Richards. Best full debut from a youth player since Barrett

maffff

» 05 Nov 2017 00:18

Since Fosu?

genome

» 05 Nov 2017 00:21

To pull off a performance like that with our injury list is fcuking impressive. Tactically spot on. Well done Stam, you've earned a lot of faith from me this week.

marlowuk

» 05 Nov 2017 01:57

Absolutely. We also looked good against Forest and - against conventional wisdom - we were pretty good against Middlesborough too! So what has changed?

Well - not much. We have simply grown together and the new signings have bedded in. Added to that, Swift has regained his pre-injury form at last and is (almost) back to his best. We needed that. In Aluko and Barrow we have two skilful and quick wingers who are as good as any other pairing in the Championship and we are taking our chances. I still look forward to the return of a fully fit Kermie but all is looking good. Our injury list includes GMac, Obita, Ilori, Kelly, VDB, Bodvarsson, Smith all of whom are genuine contenders for the first team.

We have learned how to combine quick breaks with the passing game and that has paid dividends. This is a very tight league and only 6 points separate us from 7th place! Orange or not, the future is bright!!